LSU Coach Les Miles said it isn't just the quality of his
freshman class that is earning it playing time, but a modern necessity in
college football.

LSU cornerback Jalen Mills is one of 15 true freshmen who have played for LSU this season.

LSU has played 15 of the 21 true freshmen signees on its
roster which through the first three weeks of the season was tied for the most among
FBS school with OhioState and TCU.

It's an unusually high number even for LSU, which has commonly
played 8-10 freshman every year under Miles. His philosophy is to play anyone
who can make the team better but the concept has changed.

"What's happening to major college football is with juniors,
it can be their last season," Miles said on the SEC coaches teleconference Wednesday. "We're getting guys ready to play
earlier and they are leaving earlier. It's something you have to do. We're
counting on quality freshmen to give us strength, a youthful strength, a
growing and maturing strength. It's a very important piece."

LSU loses 11 seniors who could be followed out the door by
as many as six juniors. That would leave many more holes to fill than usual.